Sen. Julia Coleman

Maddy summaryThis bill allows school districts in Minnesota that offer full-time digital instruction to administer state assessments remotely for their enrolled students. The law requires students to take tests during scheduled windows, attend live sessions managed by district staff, and use devices monitored by proctors through video, with specific rules about proctor-to-student ratios and device usage. It applies to regular state assessments but excludes college and workforce readiness tests provided by national providers. The legislation also allocates $200,000 in fiscal year 2027 funding specifically to support the implementation of remote assessments. These changes will take effect starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates unspecified funding from Minnesota's general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support school-linked behavioral health grants administered by the commissioner of human services. The funds are designated to increase access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services for families of children who receive services through school-linked behavioral health providers. The legislation takes effect the day after final enactment and directs the commissioner to distribute the money according to existing statutory requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota students who temporarily leave the state to continue receiving free public school funding if they remain enrolled in online learning programs. It applies to students who have been continuously enrolled in their district for at least one year, have at least one parent still living in Minnesota, and plan to return after being physically absent for no more than 60 consecutive school days. The legislation creates a new legal pathway for these students to maintain their eligibility for public education benefits despite a temporary break in residency. Additionally, the bill authorizes state funding to support districts that educate these nonresident students through online learning platforms.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state employees, University of Minnesota staff, and other specified organization workers to report suspected theft, embezzlement, or misuse of public funds in writing to the legislative auditor. The requirement applies unless reporting would knowingly interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation. Violations of this reporting requirement are classified as gross misdemeanors. The law takes effect on August 1, 2026, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires housing agencies in Minnesota to verify that every adult in a household has proof of citizenship or lawful immigration status before providing rental assistance or down payment assistance. The change directly affects housing programs under Minnesota Statutes 462A.07 by adding a new requirement for documentation of legal residency. Agencies must check these documents for all adults in a household before issuing any financial aid for housing. The legislation does not specify which forms of documentation are acceptable, leaving that determination to the agencies implementing the rule.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates state funds for children's mental health grants to support respite care services for children with mental illness or serious mental illness in Minnesota. The money will be provided to the commissioner of human services in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to help families access temporary care services for their children. The bill becomes effective immediately after final passage by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a requirement for social media platforms to report behavioral threat assessments to educational facilities and religious institutions in Minnesota. It defines key terms like social media platforms, user-generated content, and targeted violence to clarify the scope of the reporting requirement. The legislation specifically targets platforms that allow users to create and share content for social interaction, excluding services like search engines and email providers. Social media companies would need to assess and report potential threats related to user behavior that could lead to violence at schools, childcare centers, and religious organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a task force within the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to improve access to mental health services for veterans living in rural areas. The task force will be responsible for reviewing current challenges and developing recommendations to address veterans' mental health needs in these regions. Funding is allocated to support the task force's operations over three fiscal years, with the exact amounts to be determined later. The legislation directly affects rural veterans and the state veterans affairs agency tasked with their care.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts wheelchair accessible vehicles from Minnesota's motor vehicle sales tax and rental motor vehicle tax and fee. It directly affects individuals who purchase or lease vehicles equipped for wheelchair users, allowing them to enter and exit independently or with assistance while seated in a wheelchair. The legislation adds a specific definition for "wheelchair accessible vehicle" to the state statutes and sets a future effective date of June 30, 2026. This change removes the tax burden for these specific vehicles while maintaining existing exemptions for other vehicle types like ambulances, bookmobiles, and vehicles used by charitable organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes and regulates sports betting in Minnesota by establishing a licensing system for operators and requiring the state commissioner to oversee mobile sports betting activities. It prohibits local governments from restricting sports betting and creates a framework for taxation, including modifications to existing gambling tax rates. The legislation also includes provisions for responsible gaming measures such as background checks for employees, restrictions on advertising targeting minors, and requirements to prevent problem gambling. Additionally, the bill provides for amateur sports grants and modifies laws related to pari-mutuel horse racing and charitable gambling.